You and I have seen some special Celtic teams. For me, the double winning team in 1977, the Centenary team and, of course, the Martin O’Neill team, were without doubt above anything we’ve had since the 60s.
I am in no way disparaging Gordon Strachan’s remarkable achievement of twice reaching the knock out stages of the Champions League. This was down to Gordon’s superior ability as a manager; the wee man didn’t have a squad to compare to the others on the list.
By contrast, this team, in its embryonic state, finished fourth in the Champions League group, but that was then. Now, they are within touching distance of winning an undefeated treble. This is the finest Celtic team I’ve seen.
The ’77 team wasn’t so much a team as a support act for Kenny Dalglish. A season later, without King Kenny, they finished fifth, without even a Uefa Cup spot as compensation.
It was sheer force of Billy McNeill’s personality which drove the Centenary team on, but they returned for preseason without their elixir.
It was like going to school watching Martin O’Neill’s team. We learned so much about the game that we’d never seen at Celtic. This was a guy who knew how to get results. But without another King, we discovered that team too was built on a single foundation.
There are no Kings in this Celtic team. They are a team in the true sense of the word. Last night, without Dembele, Armstrong, Tierney, Lustig, Simunovic and Sinclair they rolled around the Firhill surface like a machine from the 22nd century.
It was breathtaking. This is the greatest Celtic team since the one which walked off the Hampden pitch in front of 136,000 fans in 1970.
I saw a preview of the BBC documentary film, Glasgow 1967: The Lisbon Lions, which airs across the UK on Wednesday 24th May. It was heartfelt, entertaining and inspiring. I intended to review it today, but I was so annoyed at the coverage some in the media gave it, I thought I better step back to do the job justice.
They had some of the Lions, of course, and some wives too, but they sat a microphone in front of a few of our more experienced CQN’ers Some of the best things you have read on this site come to life on the screen. We’ll talk about it again next week.
Stunned and humbled at the support for the marathon, which takes place on Sunday morning, to benefit the Celtic Foundation. I just don’t know what to say. There are spectacular donations (here) there – a simple thank you does not seem appropriate, but I know every donation, large or small, means someone has taken the trouble to spend hard earned money.
It is appreciated, thank you.
If you’d like to get an historic week off to a unique start I hear there’s a projector screening of the original live broadcast and whole 90 minutes from Lisbon in a Govan warehouse tonight (Friday, 19th), it’ll run from around 6.30 till 9. If interested drop an email to cqnopen@gmail.com
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ACGR
Young ‘in must get his sporting prowess from the Broxburn Dev’s.
Bertie Auld on being interviewed on CelticTV was asked the old chestnut ‘Would the current Celtic Team give the Lisbon Lions a good game?’. He responded with ‘Aye probably, but you must remember we’re aw gettin’ oan a bit noo, and if we could stop Jim Craig gein’ away daft penalties after 10 or 11 minutes then I think we’d be awright’.
Jim Craig’s response was that ‘the’ penalty was all part of the grand plan so they’d sit back and defend allowing us to attack them for the rest of the game.
A treat to watch.
ACGR- He obviously takes efter his maw;)
Played today, absolutely melting it aff the sclafbats!
“Aye Teuchter get me another coke”
See ya soon budwieser!
Slainte
Tony
Glasgow’s green and white!
https://twitter.com/AyrHoopy/status/866007639536304128
If anyone is tavelling along Cambuslang Road westwards towards Farme Cross and Dalmarnock, when I was on it yesterday, the road at the rail bridge was still closed.
There are still temporary traffic lights after Dalmarnock Bridge heading towards Springfield Road.
After the St Johnstone game two weeks ago, two polis were controlling the temporary traffic lights to try and get traffic coming from the game , moving quicker.
Celtic1member1vote: Great story. The Black family are a lovely family. Very down to earth. They grew up beside St. Teresa’s Gardens, a working class area near the Liberties in Dublin. Imelda May is also from around there.
Over the years Mary and Frances have done many gigs for good causes I taught her niece while her nephew is still in the school. I also taught current Dublin GAA legend Kevin McMenaman who shares a house with Mary’s son, Danny.
And of course WITS played footie with Mary’s brother. Small world
ACGR: Great news. Are you having a dram to celebrate?
ACGR, you and your son must be well chuffed with his award.
Cowiebhoy
No, i had to notify the Rollercoaster that I was flat on my back — or to be more precise in the fetal position — and had all the stability of a melting jelly.
Totally gutted for a whole host of reasons and leaves me with all sorts of things to sort before Tuesday morning which I just don’t have the strength for at the moment.
Hopefully things are returning to normal and I can get my head on over the next 48 hours,
DALLAS DALLAS WHERE THE HECK IS DALLAS on 20TH MAY 2017 10:18 PM
If anyone is tavelling along Cambuslang Road westwards towards Farme Cross and Dalmarnock, when I was on it yesterday, the road at the rail bridge was still closed.
There are still temporary traffic lights after Dalmarnock Bridge heading towards Springfield Road.
After the St Johnstone game two weeks ago, two polis were controlling the temporary traffic lights to try and get traffic coming from the game , moving quicker.
The road is due to re open next week and they have painted the steelwork on the bridge a rather fetching shade of green!
ACGR
Well done to the lad!
MAaH
Will add you to list if I can arrange transport
I was looking at a 15 seat bus, but they wanted €15 per hotel stop, I asked them how many stops needed based on hotel locations, wouldn’t comment on any hotel locations
Have emailed another Private hire Co. who claim to offer free hotel drop offs
Hoping to get a response tomorrow, room in bus for you Bhud :-)
PhyllisD we will all be easily recognisable in Liverpool airport, Handsome Bhoys and Ghirls with huge smiles :-) and ACGR will be in a Celtic onesie :-)))
THETIMREAPER on 20TH MAY 2017 10:09 PM
I didn’t queue for one of those selfies…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
So many things to look forward to this week. Hopefully a treble – FTSFA
The Lisboa celebrations.
And then there’s tomorrow.
Breakfast in Coia’s.
An unbeaten season.
A points record.
A goalfest.
A possible new record for points difference between champions and runners-up.
Soft Loans Co. to score one goal only and end up with a goals scored total of 67 – in honour of our Big Cup achievement.
The pre match atmosphere/Tifo
The post match celebrations
60,000 Tims having a party.
Canny wait.
Off to mo leaba soon. 5am start
\O/
BRTH
Sorry about that Bhud, hope your recovery is well on the way
Almore alking about schools
The Mascot coming out with Broonie tomorrow is in my Daughter class at St Mary’s Bannockburn
BhoyfaeSky – you looking in ? Is the road out your front open tomorrow? Seen signs at roundabout saying closed with that Paul67 and those runners ?
Oh Very Well done Rossbhoy ( ACGR junior) and to think he will get a second winners award on Friday at golf in Lisbon :-))))
Hail Hail
I remember seeing Mary and her band in the Pavillion sometime in the late 80’s.
Great band – Declan Sinnott playing just one guitar and making it sound like many different instruments (have you ever noticed the size of his hands? Jeez they are like shovels, yet he has deft fingers), Pat Crowley on Squeezebox and Piano, Noel Bridgewater on Percussion (I think) and I can’t remember who else.
They had a great sound.
Absolutely exemplified by her magnificent rendition of Columbus by the late great Noel Brazil.
Later I had a chat with her and big Declan in the Atholl Arms across the road.
When our weans arrived the first boy was christened Declan, then came Sean and finally we gave in and called the third Christy!
So now I have three boys ………. and a boss …….. she’s called……… Roisin!
Anyway, here is Mary and Columbus at their very best.
Don’t look at the pictures just listened to the sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM75YriDPhE
You should never call your kid Malachy that’s just cruel, Children of the Corn stuff
Just caught up with Chris Sutton interviewing Brendan . I lost count of how many times Brendan mentioned the supporters . I could listen to Brendan talking Celtic all day long . Can’t wait till tomorrow.
Excitement is obviously growing on CQN prior to the Lisbon trip . For many it will be like a pilgrimage , following their own footsteps or that of loved ones or heroes from fifty years ago . Best wishes and a safe journey there and back to all that are going.
I’m sure it will be a hoot . Good weather , good company and a “few refreshments” will make that a Nap . HH
BRTH
Noel Bridgeman I am sure you meant ? not Bridgewater
Lennybhoy was PL not requesting a selfie with your good self ?
I had recorded the BR interview with Chris Sutton, just watched it, a few great lines from Brendan, obviously I heard the holy trinity and other stuff but the one that made me nod in agreement, “this is my 5th job in management, I now appreciate what I have” love it
Not had time to read back. Just setting down with a Gavi di Gavi after a busy day.
Down at St Mary’s at 10 to help set up for the Lions Mass followed straight after by a wedding for 2 very good friends.
The Nuptial Mass was due to start at 13:00 but at 12:50 there were still people on the Sanctuary having their picture taken with the Big Cup. The bride arrived fashionably late but still had to go round the block another 3 times.
It kicked off 13:30 and was a great celebration.
A good wee bit of grub and company. Now going to relax and enjoy a nice wee bevvy.
KTF
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TE66FkPVNw
More fitting in my opinion
Christy Moore sings a moving farewell to Martin McGuinness
https://youtu.be/N-LvEz06drA
COWIEBHOY on 20TH MAY 2017 10:23 PM
MAaH
Will add you to list if I can arrange transport
I was looking at a 15 seat bus, but they wanted €15 per hotel stop, I asked them how many stops needed based on hotel locations, wouldn’t comment on any hotel locations
Have emailed another Private hire Co. who claim to offer free hotel drop offs
Hoping to get a response tomorrow, room in bus for you Bhud :-)
PhyllisD we will all be easily recognisable in Liverpool airport, Handsome Bhoys and Ghirls with huge smiles :-) and ACGR will be in a Celtic onesie :-)))
———————————–
That would be great COWIEBHOY
Add me to the list :)
Very much appreciated I hope you get it sorted count me in mate
———————————————-
MurdochhAuldAndHay – I can get to the Adelphi after work on Tuesday if you fancy a tiny aperitif. Cowiebhoy – are you available?
No problem if you say no.
BRTH
Hope you feel better soon mate.
I have a mental image in ma heid’ of a gang o’ tims wanderin’ room Lisbon armed wi a million questions. :-)
GWS
Christy Moore – Viva la Quinta Brigada. Live at Barrowland Glasgow
https://youtu.be/xQbXO828Vio
Enjoying the craic here tonight while working my way through a bottle of Hendricks , yes WITS more gin !!! Mon the Invincibles !!☘☘☘
Gerry FTB
Brendan impresses me more , every time I hear him speak .
I saw the goals for Shay league table earlier . Wide open , although a couple of folk are sitting handy with a joker still to play ;-))) . I noted your final selection , all the best to you as I’ve got an investment on them winning by more than a couple tomorrow . HH
Thebhoyfromoz, thanks for that update.
The closure of Cambuslang Road has been a pain as we go that way to and from work also using it to get to Celtic Park.
A big advantage of living in East Kilbride is the variety of routes you can use to get back there from the town. We have used them all trying to find the one with the least traffic while Cambuslang Road is shut.
What is the Stars on 20th May 2017 10:41 pm
Absolutely correct — as I said earlier I am on drugs!
VFR800 is now a Monster 821 on 20th May 2017 10:43 pm
The Gavi is a most underrated drop of white – never to be passed up if it available.
Alas, I think it will be some time before anything like it passes my lips!
Do you all want a laugh?
The BBC Scotland Sports Crew are all coming out on the same plane as a lot of us on Tuesday morning and then they have managed to book themselves into the same hotel as Morrissey and Mags McGill!
Wonder if we should say anything to the beeb punters? lol They might be in for a shock.
GERRYFAETHEBRIG on 20TH MAY 2017 10:42 PM
I was too busy to fit him in…:)
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Dallas Dallas, aye, Im considering invading the pitch tomorrow…….:-)
MA&H, see you in Liverpool on Wed.
HH
Phyllis D
MurdochAuldandHay and I are T-Totallers,
But
I can happily head to the Adelphi Tues night to meet up
I am in Manchester Tues, heading over to Warrington late afternoon to pick up my wife at train station. I a am staying at the Hilton Hampton at airport on Tues night.
ACGR is travelling down with Rossbhoy and Skyisalandfill early Wed am
OneMalloy and his daughter also down the Tues night ? I think ? ( will drop him a text)
We could all meet up Tues night if you like ?
Hail Hail
Gavi, good stuff. Enjoy it and savour the flavour.
It must be 30 years (or more) since I bought a vinyl record. Until 3 weeks ago.
There is a treasure trove under the Hielanman’s Umbrella which is packed with pretty much every type of music and football books/magazines/programmes etc. It is called Missing Records. Most albums cost about £3.
Tonight, after an exhausting 14 hour shift with our Grandson, Mrs. HJ retired to bed early and I have listened to my new purchase; Rod McKuen in Concert at the London Palladium.
Rod was a poet ; maybe not the best singer but everything he sang was sincere. He was in the Leonard Cohen type of musician.
An example of his lyrics:
Soldiers who wanna be heroes
Number practically zero
But there are millions
Who wanna be civilians
Come and take my eldest son
Show him how to shoot a gun
Wipe his eyes if he starts to cry
When the bullets fly
Give him a rifle, take his hoe
Show him a field where he can go
To lay his body down and die
Without asking why
Soldiers who wanna be heroes
Number practically zero
But there are millions
Who wanna be civilians
Sticks and stones can break your bones
Even names can hurt you
But the thing that hurts the most
Is when a man deserts you
Don’t you think it’s time to weed
The leaders that no longer lead
From the people of the land
Who’d like to see their sons again?
Soldiers who wanna be heroes
Number practically zero
But there are millions
Who wanna be civilians
God, if men could only see
The lessons taught by history
That all the singers of this song
Cannot right a single wrong
Let all men of good will
Stay in the fields they have to till
Feed the mouths they have to fill
And cast away their arms
Soldiers who wanna be heroes
Number practically zero
But there are millions
Who wanna be civilians
Angelgabriel 11.00pm
Strange, we both were catching up with the BR interview tonight, it’s hard going trying to not play a joker, am rubbish at poker, best of luck with the Chelsea tomorrow, not a bad joker to play :-) although Bognorbhoy has banked the goals :-) watch out for that Jobo Baldie he might get a wee 8 goal win for St Jo against the Sevs….. That would be good :-)
By the way, I could listen to Brendan all day and all night, I know some other people want somebody associated with their club, I just want the best, it’s pretty magic Brendan ticks both boxes….. Enjoy your day the morra and best of luck to all GFSers
TAL/torontony
Have fun lads!